—­I understand, Captain, that you do not wish your daughter to go to church.

—­As little as possible, sir.

—­Nevertheless, as a Christian and as a Catholic, she has duties to perform.

—­What do you mean by duties?

—­Why, the first elements which the Catechism prescribes.

—­I do not remember exactly what your catechism prescribes, but if you mean by that the little box where they tell their sins, that is exactly what I absolutely forbid.

—­Nevertheless a young person has need of counsel.

—­Undoubtedly; but that counsel I intend to give myself.

—­There is also the priest’s part, Captain.

—­Allow me to have another opinion.  Besides, the adviser is too young; that is why, Monsieur le Cure, I ask you to abstain in the future from all advice, and undertake to abandon any intention you may have with regard to the direction of this young soul.  Such is the purport of my visit.

—­Monsieur le Capitaine, answered Marcel, relieved from a great weight, I am an honourable man.  Another perhaps might be offended at this proceeding.  I will take no offence at it.  Another perhaps might answer:  “It is a soul to contend for with Satan; it is the struggle between the Church and the family; an old struggle, sir, an eternal struggle.  You are master to impose your will among your own, just as among us, we are masters to act according to our conscience.  As a father of a family, your rights are sacred, but they stop at the entrance to the holy place.  You desire the struggle.  It lies between us.”  For myself I simply reply:  “Let it be done according to your wish, and may the will of God equally be done!”

—­And what does that mean?

—­That your daughter is and shall be in my eyes like all the souls which Heaven has willed to entrust to my care.  If she does not come to church, I will not go to seek her; but if she comes there, I cannot ask her to depart.

—­You are really too good.  And if she comes and kneels in the little box?

—­Then the will of God will be stronger than the paternal will.

—­That is no answer.

—­Well! what can I do? humbly replied Marcel.

—­Allow me, sir; I ask you what you would do in such a case.

—­I make you the judge of it; can I treat your daughter differently to the other ladies of the parish?

—­That is to say that you will receive her confession?

—­That will be my duty, Captain.  I am frank also, you see.

—­But, Monsieur le Cure, the first of your duties is not to encourage the disobedience of children, and not to place yourself between a father and his daughter.

—­I place myself on no side, Captain.  I confine myself, as far as I can, to the very obscure and modest character of a poor priest.  I am charged with an office; is it possible, I ask you yourself, for me to repel those who address themselves to that office?